Issue 143 to the end

Action: Marvel awakes from Tarsus's curse and finds herself in New York City. She takes a cab to Earthguard(r) but notices an eerie difference in how the city looks and how the inhabitants act. Feeling the Earthguard(r) of this world can help her back to her own time line Marvel continues to the Hammond Building. Denied access by DAD she asks for Star-Scanner. In this Nazi controlled world Star-Scanner is actually Den-Rann who brands Marvel and inferior and sends for guards who put her in jail.

While in jail Marvel discovers the Allied Forces lost the second world war and about fifteen years ago the Nazis invaded America. Since the west coast has not been invaded yet, Marvel makes her way to the airport to see if it would be possible to steal an airplane and fly it to the west coast. Security is far too tight and the discovery of a radioactive wheat-belt scuttles the idea.

Back in town she finds the underground run by Captain America and Phase. Falstaff, found in the same alley as Marvel, determines that the two are vibrationally shifted from their proper plane. While talking over their plight with Captain America they are accosted by Agent Axis who is disguised as Corona.

A machine is located to shift them back and Avar is uncovered and recruited while in a Nazi research factory. Marvel and Falstaff learn about a Nazi plan to sink California with an earthquake device. They inform Captain America.

Great amounts of energy are required to power the machine. The best source is Earthguard(r). Marvel knows the basement and after covering the basement with explosives they turn on the machine. Falstaff enters first and vanishes. Darkwar and Atomic Knight arrive as expected and Marvel disables Darkwar with a shower of shurakin. Marvel escapes as Atomic Knight, a goliath, death dealing robot, deactivates the explosives. Drifting through the ether the two bodies are drawn to the closest, natural attraction. Falstaff wakes in the living room of his home in Chicago; Marvel wakes someplace else.

Action: Darkwar is sent to Japan to try to patch the difference between the two groups. While there, he is sent to help A-Team infiltrate a base of the terrorists. At the base Darkwar, Tseguri Danko, Timoushi and Night Shadow break into the computer and steal information on Ice Cap base. Darkwar is surprised at the ruthless tactics of A-Team as they kill all their opponents.

Back at Japan, Arc Angel starts destroying Tokyo. He is faced by Giant Robot who is dispatched with surprising swiftness. When the rest of A-Team arrives, Sumo gives Dingo an ultimatum: Leave Tokyo and never return or A-Team will destroy their Ice Cap base. Dingo replies with either a challenge in the streets of Tokyo or while A-Team destroys their home base, they will kill everyone in Tokyo.

Two hours later in the streets of Tokyo a fierce battle takes place where A-Team destroys their opponents. Half of A-Team is left standing against Dingo. Dingo, to escape capture, gives an order to Arc Angel, who was not at the street battle, to set off quakes across the Japanese island. "The only way to stop it is to let us go Sumo." Very reluctantly Sumo lets him go but immediately contacts Superboy so they can organize an assault on Ice Cap.

Action: Corona convinces Cyclotron to take a "vacation" in Chile and help him determine if the Cobra base he believes is in Chile has been shut down now that King Cobra has been captured (see issue #137). Cyclotron brings along his family and Corona brings Megan. The next day Corona, Cyclotron and Megan find the ill-fated village Corona visited three years earlier. The frightened villagers, now all missing their right arms, tell him that the "lizard-god" was actually working for the "metal-monster", a story that rules out Cobra as ever having been involved in Chile. They continue their search and find further into the mountains a booby-trapped cave and a transmitting antenna pointing to a jungle valley below.

As they reach the jungle they come across a Hammond Oil rig. All the workers are missing except for the foreman who was killed by a primitive spear. Papers in the office mention a second oil rig deeper in the jungle. The second rig is found next to a Spanish fort in the middle of a field of purple lotus flowers which Cyclotron determines to be hallucinogenic. Approaching the fort the band is attacked by Professor Meurte. Meurte erects a force barrier over the fort and announces that the heroes are too late to stop the launch of his fake weather satellite. (Of course, this is the first time Corona or Cyclotron have heard about Meurte's plot.) Since the barrier stops communication with DAD, Corona knocks it down. But while cyclotron is telling DAD to stop NASA's launch, Meurte uses some lotus essence to disable Corona and escapes.

Action: Team Leader sends A-Team on a reconnaissance mission to find out about the Aliens who invaded New York. (The ship was taken to Japan by Giant Robot (see Earthguard(r) issue ?.)) Some doubts as to the purpose of the mission are raised, but the team leaves the next day. While in route, they are intercepted by five hostile alien Destroyers. Another ship is already engaged and with the help of Star Girl and Giant Robot all the ships are destroyed. The other ship is piloted by Den-Ran and has Marvel and Star-Scanner aboard. Den-Rann (working as a gun runner) needs to rescue some of his clients to get paid. It is later found out by Kyoto and Sumo that Star-Scanner is aboard to enlist Den-Rann in his fight against the Red Guardians. (Marvel ended on ship as a result of traveling back from the alternate Earth (see Marvel Special #1).)

After evading the planetary defenses, A-Team goes to gather technology while Den-Rann frees his friends. A-Team has a close battle with Fast Jack, Micron, Bolt of Lightning and Reaction but after several minutes of fighting succeed in their goal. Star-Scanner, Marvel and Den-Rann run into Darkstar (sent into orbit in Earthguard(r) issue #62) but avoid having to fight him.

Action: Superboy quits Earthguard(r) saying the team only pretends at being heroes. Cyclotron and Wartiger argue with Superboy to try to change his mind but to no avail. Protector withdraws his name from prospective membership.

Star-Scanner and Ran-Darr talk to Wartiger, Cyclotron and Corona about attacking the Red Guardians. Cyclotron and Corona agree with the intention that their presence will lower the amount of lethal violence. Wartiger is undecided.

Cyclotron and Corona are joined by Sumo and Kyoto and the two groups race to see who can find the armored car first. The Earthguard(r) team catches it leaving the NYC city limits heading toward New Jersey. After disabling the truck, the villains appear. Ideological talk from Rapier about how America must pay for the rebuilding of Vietnam convinces Kyoto to help them. During the battle the money is scattered by Sumo and the villains leave.

Action: Star-Scanner rents an apartment in New York while he waits for Den-Rann and Marvel to arrive and plan strategy. While out to dinner, Star-Scanner and Ran-Darr are ambushed by five Russian agents. The battle is almost won by the Russians but eventually Ran-Darr and Star-Scanner prevail. During the battle the Russians tell that they know why the pair are back on earth and they should check a small town named Chichkobriliv.

This and some other information Star-Scanner takes to Earthguard(r) to use DAD. Wartiger denies Star-Scanner the use of DAD. When Star-Scanner arrives back at the apartment he finds their one captive has managed to kill himself. Star-Scanner delivers the body to the Russian Embassy with an ultimatum. He them contacts Kyoto, "We're putting the ball in motion. We will meet you in Tokyo tomorrow."

Action: Den-Rann and Marvel arrive back on Earth after Den-Rann completes his business in space (A-Team Adventure issue #77). There is massive dissension within Earthguard(r) and a general meeting is called to sort out leadership problems and the direction of the team. The forefront of the argument is between Marvel and Wartiger and their differences in who is allowed clearance and uses of the computers. Marvel favors allowing all past members use of the computer while Wartiger wants to keep secrets, secret and ban any non-current members from using the computer.

Star-Scanner, Ran-Darr and Den-Rann go to Tokyo with the various information they have gathered on the Red Guardians. Unlike Wartiger the previous day, Kyoto gladly lets them input everything and lets their computer determine the best course of action. Darkwar and Corona join the others in Tokyo. They complain of the petty bickering at Earthguard(r) and fear nothing will be resolved from the split. A vote is taken and it is decided that Speedster, Wartiger and all Earthguard(r) reservists be left behind.

Impatient with all this planning Den-Rann goes off to do some of his own recognizance. Imperial Defender and Nova Sanchan intercept Den-Rann and take him to New York. The Tokyo team is alerted when they detect the Russian's ship leaving Japan for the United States.

Several Members voice for immediate action but Wartiger pleads patience and seemingly all agree. Later, after he has left, the rest vote to leave without Wartiger who, they think, doesn't have the kind of stomach they are looking for. The plan for most is to leave no survivors.

Star-Scanner, Den-Rann, Kyoto, Cyclotron, Corona, Marvel, Darkwar and Ran-Darr go to a small town just south of Leningrad. (This is the town the Soviets sold into slavery to get their Kree warship.) Out of the meeting hall Mercenary addresses the group and places Marvel and Darkwar under arrest. ("Greetings. I wish to inform you that by the power invested in me by the Supreme Soviet Politburo and the United Nations Security Council, I place Darkwar and Marvel under arrest for the International crimes of Terrorism, Attempted Murder, Attempted Kidnapping, Illegal entry onto foreign soil, entry with intent to commit a felony, attempted destabilization of national government and borders. If the rest of you will stand clear I will take these two to the appropriate authorities.") A huge fight breaks out and through better luck the Red Guardians isolate the more powerful members and triumph. Star-Scanner, Den-Rann, Corona and Darkwar are captured. Cyclotron manages to rescue Marvel and Ran-Darr and they head back to Earthguard.

Action: The actions of Star-Scanner and party are no secret to those at Earthguard in New York City. Wartiger and Soulforce quickly invite Superboy back and promise that they will back him and oust the offending parties. Superboy rejoins Earthguard(r).

Back in New York, Ran-Darr tells Marvel and Cyclotron that he has to leave Earth (his visa was revoked in issue #121) but will stay in touch. Marvel and Cyclotron enter Earthguard and try to enlist their help in rescuing the captured four. Instead of an enthusiastic response they are berated and "invited" to leave. In disgust both resign. Darkwar and Corona are also removed for their participation.

Corona is in a darkened cell when the door swings open. Mercenary asks him to step outside. He is told that his comrades are imprisoned in various ways to dampen their powers and make their escape difficult if not impossible. Since they didn't know how to stop Corona they decided to let him roam free anywhere above ground with the warning that if he joined a hero team or tried to free them, Star-Scanner, Den-Rann and Darkwar would be killed.

ISSUE 151 & LATER SUPERBOY IS STILL THE LEADER. SOULFORCE SUFFERS A SERIOUS INJURY AND IS "OUT OF ACTION" FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. RICHARD HAMMOND SUFFERS A MINOR HEART ATTACK AND SON ROBERT IS INVOLVED IN A "CAR ACCIDENT". RICHARD TRIES TO RUN HIS BUSINESS AND EARTHGUARD BUT VARIOUS HOSTILE TAKEOVER ATTEMPTS DEPLETE HIS PHYSICAL STRENGTH AND THAT OF THE COMPANY. ISSUE 199 IS THE LAST EARTHGUARD ISSUE AS EARTHGUARD IS FORCED TO DISBAND WHEN RICHARD SELLS THE BUILDING THEY ARE IN TO KEEP THE BALANCE OF HIS INVESTMENTS SOLVENT. ROBERT IS A PARAPLEGIC AND ROOMERS ABOUND THAT ROBERT HAMMOND AND SOULFORCE ARE THE SAME.

CORONA couldn't accept the responsibility of his remaining "free" while his buddies were held somewhere. One day he roamed into the first underground level of the prison from which he was released and released all his energy. The explosion was quite large and destroyed most of the military complex except for the fission-fusion reactor. The explosion is believed to have killed Corona as he has not been heard from nor seen since.

CYCLOTRON was ashamed by the behavior of his fellow heroes. He helped Marvel on several occasions but hung up his suit after he lost contact with her. He is still convinced that except for Corona the other three heroes are still being held captive by the Russians.

MARVEL continued to fight crime alone and with Cyclotron for several months. Superboy attempted once to capture her but she eluded the trap. Several months later she disappeared from the city. During May Day celebrations a wire came into Moscow that a group of highly trained agents had shot and killed her near the Costa Rica border. The report was never substantiated.

STAR-SCANNER was reported seen headed to Visar and was planning to move the planet to a safer orbit. No contacts on Visar ever reported his arriving on the planet. One year after his battle with the Red Guardians his Chancellors moved the planet on their own and no contact has been made since.

Action: Spiderman receives a letter from Black Canary dated May 5, 1988, four weeks after her death. With the letter is a pentagram. Perplexed Spiderman decides to swing to clear his head. Enroute to the Bronx he is intercepted by Hector (the hero from Troy) who asks for the pentagram. Spiderman doesn't know what he is talking about and a fight breaks out. The fight is joined by Speedster and Argon and a villain named Hermes (the flying Greek god). The Greeks win the fight but cannot find the pentagram.

Earlier in the day, Achilles (Greek hero of troy) attacks Enforcer, Crimebuster and Elemental trying to get a necklace from Elemental that his mentor, Rising Eagle, gave him (see #57). Achilles is joined by Hermes who easily beat the heroes, take the amulet, and leave. Elemental takes Crimebuster and Enforcer to Rising Eagle to see if they can help retrieve the amulet and what, if anything, the theft means. Upon learning of the disappearance, Rising Eagle becomes disturbed and leaves the apartment looking for it.

The earlier battle makes the papers and Speedster, Spiderman and Argon contact Crimebuster (he operates the Crimebuster detective agency -- "Who ya' gonna' call?") and find out what happened with him. [Besides the demons summoned by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (see U.N. Protectorates issue #) there are no super-types to fight.] The heroes arrange for a meeting on top of the Empire State Building. While on top, Elemental feels Rising Eagle telepathically call for help. The heroes rush to Staten Island only to find the body of Rising Eagle brutally and ritualistically slain and the phrase "2nd letter in the name of God has been spoken" written on the wall above.

The heroes find Rising Eagle's real Indian name is "Eagle that soars and rises with the sun". They also find a cone made of unusual material and a notebook that Rising Eagle was working on trying to discover if the lack of general super-types had any significance.

Action: Speedster and Spiderman go to Black Canary's apartment to see what is left of the crime. It is still sealed by police lines. Inside they discover another cone of strange material, an autographed book of Borges short stories and two books on the Tetragramation (the 99 names of God). In the Apartment is written "1st letter in the name of God has been spoken". As the heroes are looking around an apologetic Hector tries to help the pair but instead succeeds in helping himself to the cone and leaving with it. Black Canary was killed May 5 and Rising Eagle was killed June 5, 1988.

A police report is obtained and both killings were from oriental weapons and ritualistic in nature. The pattern of deaths, given a reading in Borges story "Death and the Compass", is a parabola. Elemental is too grieved to continue so he decides to take Rising Eagles body back to his tribe.

The points on the parabola are Hammond's ex-estate (from Earthguard comics) and John Alden's home (Cyclotron). It is assumed 1) Hammond's estate will be the scene of the final battle since it is remote, 2) Cyclotron will be the next victim or at least his home will be involved in the next attack, 3) Marvel is alive and committing the killings.

Since the next killing will not happen until July 5, the group checks on the now vacant Earthguard headquarters to see if anything is left or any clues can be found. Inside the heroes find Blok and Matrix who attack the group. They are quickly subdued and neither remember the last several days. (They look as if they spent the last several days inside the building, waiting for whomever.) A quick look around the headquarters reveals a computer tape with a pentagram inscribed on the cover. The tape gives a rundown of Earthguard comics issue 145-149 leading up and including the fight with the Red Guardians, Earthguard's capture and all subsequent events. Plans are also found concerning some type of reactor and the area where Star-Scanner, Darkwar and Den-Rann are believed to be held captive.

The tape is viewed at ESU college library and upon leaving the campus the heroes are attacked by the three Greeks. They are trying to get the tape but fail. Hector and Hermes are captured while Achilles escapes.

Action: Although all clues point to Russia the heroes decide to wait until after the attack on July 5th before leaving New York. Several of the heroes need hospitalization and they do not want to take the chance to stop a killing before they find out what is in Russia.

The heroes ask Cyclotron to leave the country for his own protection and he agrees. As July 5 comes and goes, the heroes become despondent. They were waiting at Cyclotron's house without indecent but the morning paper brings word of the third killing. Cobra (of Cobra and Hyde) has been killed in New York City. The killing pattern is now clear; a line in descending halves. Cobra represents the third and fourth letters (Asp and Serpent) with the assumption being their final opponent will be Beast from the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (See A-team comics with Avengers guest).

Fatman is contacted to see if he can help with any information. Instead the heroes' suspicions are aroused ("Fatman is in league with the devil") and they decide they should instead just follow his car. While following, the heroes are intercepted by Axeman (a neon sculpture animated from a nearby restaurant) and Achilles. Axeman is defeated but the car gets away. The next day, the heroes approach Fatman with questions about the previous night. He tells them he knows nothing about what they are talking about. Spotting numerous pentagrams on his jewelery they convince him to remove it all. When he does, Fred Dukes (the Blob) regains his memory.

Action: Arriving in England the group is intercepted by Captain Britain and taken to his mansion. After briefly discussing their current predicament, Captain Britain reveals Darkwar is also at the mansion. Darkwar managed to escape and both Captain Britain and Darkwar believes that Star-Scanner and Den-Rann are still imprisoned (Earthguard comics #149) in Russia. Both offer their assistance.

The group arrives in Russia to find the former prison base obliterated by a half mile wide and several hundred feet deep crater caused by Corona's detonation. The upper area is now occupied by the Ultimates and Charger is in the process of making himself a "super Charger" by plugging himself directly into the output of the still operating reactor. It is soon obvious that Charger is many times more powerful than usual, but even so, the Ultimates are defeated after a very close battle. Plasmoid collapses his magnetic field in a vain attempt at stopping the heroes and escapes. Star-Scanner and Den-Rann are discovered relatively uninjured.

The heroes plan to arrive at the warehouse where the final killing should take place. They arrive at 11pm the night of the 4th to set up their defenses before the killing sometime the following day. An unknown and unnoticed time distortion delays their arrive until midnight, just in time to see the final killing. Marvel, possibly mind controlled, defeats several of the heroes but sheer numbers put her out for the count.

Beast calls the heroes. He announces that a great evil is about to descend and change the earth into a replica of hell and he plans to rule this area. The heroes unleash full power, Beast returns the attack but in the end the heroes triumph and Beast is banished from earth and sent back to hell.

Action: Because of injuries suffered during the battle with the Beast (last issue) Den-Rann is rushed to the hospital. Several heroes debate Marvel's fate but only Crimebuster and Spiderman insist on taking her to prison. Enroute Marvel awakens and escapes (Crimebuster quickly realize he has little change to defeat her if a battle ensues and Spiderman seems strangely uninterested in helping) but before leaving Crimebuster says she must get back in touch with either himself or one of the other heroes and eventually stand trial for her actions. Marvel is not at all thrilled with the idea of a trial (the Russians are still trying to capture her to stand trial various atrocities against Russians) and said she will think about the idea. When asked about being mind controlled she is very evasive responding that under hypnosis, you can never be forced to do something you don't already want to.

Rann Thurstar tries to reapply to NASA but half way through the security check decides he cannot continue without giving away his Darkwar identity. He instead decides to start his own private consulting firm.

Star-Scanner is undecided what to do in the future. Crimebuster offers his services and in the meantime Star-Scanner takes time to catch up on current affairs. While reading alone in a cafe, Marvel meets Star-Scanner (both out of costume) and asks his advice. He recommends she lay low for a while. She thanks him and gives him a detailed tape of current events and all that has happened since he was imprisoned including how the "new" Earthguard members vetoed mounting a rescue party for those captured.